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International Journal of Pure & Applied Bioscience (IJPAB)
Year : 2018, Volume : 6, Issue : 6
First page : (1163) Last page : (1169)
Article doi: : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.7261

Response of Maize to Irrigation and Nitrogen Levels

S. Krishnaprabu*

Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University - 608 002
*Corresponding Author E-mail: prabu1977krishna@gmail.com
Received: 16.10.2018 | Revised: 19.11.2018 | Accepted: 24.11.2018  

 ABSTRACT

A field experiment was conducted at Experimental Farm, Annamalai University  during the summer season of 2011 on sandy loam soil with maize hybrid PEEHM 5 to study the effect of variable irrigation regimes and nitrogen (N) rates on root-shoot characteristics, yield and soil fertility status. The experiment was laid-out in a three-time replicated split-plot design. The treatments consisted of 24 combinations of 3 irrigation regimes: irrigation at 25% depletion of available soil moisture (DASM), irrigation at 75% DASM and no-irrigation (rainfed condition) allotted to main- plots and eight N-rates: control, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, 240 and 300 kg N ha-1 to sub-plots. Irrigation at 25% DASM resulted in significantly higher plant height at tasseling and maturity stages, dry matter accumulation both at knee-high (KH) and tasseling stages, biological yield, harvest index and soil available N compared to water-stressed conditions. However, water-stressed rainfed crop recorded the highest root dry weight. With regard to N-effects, it was found that plant height, dry matter accumulation measured at pre-and post-N top-dressing during KH stage increased upto 160 kg N ha-1, while at tasseling stage increase in these plant parameters was significant only upto 120 kg N ha-1. At KH stage 160 kg N ha-1, whereas at tasseling 120 kg N ha-1, recorded the highest root dry weight. Treatment combination irrigation at 75% DASM and 300 kg N ha-1 recorded the highest N-availability in soil.

Key words: Dry matter, Irrigation, N-rates, Plant height, Root dry weight, Yield.

Full Text : PDF; Journal doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782

Cite this article: Krishnaprabu, S., Response of Maize to Irrigation and Nitrogen Levels, Int. J. Pure App. Biosci.6(6): 1163-1169 (2018). doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.7261